There is one type of illness in the world that affects more people than anything else and is very deadly. If untreated this illness could affect everything you do. What is this illness? Depression. Serious depression requires professional treatment. Self-induced depression is something each of us can change.

Everyone's circumstances are different and the pressures we face from day to day vary, but really some of the causes self-induced depression are common: low self-esteem, hurtful thinking and a bad attitude.

Although these affect people on a global scale and cause much heartache, how can we change the way we think, feel, and cultivate a cheerful attitude? Like with any obstacle there will be stumbling blocks, but they can be avoided.

First we must look at ourselves, truly and honestly examining our motives for what we do and what we wish to achieve. If you are dissatisfied because you feel you haven't or can't do anything, then one step is needed - to set goals.

Always start your goals relatively small and easy to attain. Think of them as sand; one grain may be insignificant but as a group they form the beach.

Once you have set and attained small goals for yourself, move on to slightly larger, more challenging goals. Examples might be like competing in a sporting event, studying at college or getting a part time job. And most importantly of all, talk to people about your goals. Talk to people who have reached higher goals, for they can give you much encouragement.

It takes more than just setting goals to be happy. It takes positive thinking. How can we attain this?

There are a number of factors that can make us think negatively and one of those is diet.

In my opinion, a person who eats a lot of take out and fast food is feeding their body junk which mostly consists of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar and is generally low in vitamins and minerals. Start by eating better foods, more fruit and veggies, meat products and high fiber meals which give the body much NEEDED minerals. If your physical body is happy, it's much easier for your mental body or "thinking ability" to be happy.

Next, exercise. A half-hour a day is recommended for positive well being. Why is exercise so important?

Because it gets oxygen running around the body more easily which helps us think better and helps us sleep better. If you are having difficulties sleeping, a little more physical work or exercise during the day may be needed.

Thinking is also linked to what we do.

For example: if you do something that you hate doing everyday, it will show in your attitude. This probably explains why so many people are angry in the work place. If you don't like what you do, but have no choice in doing it, try to give yourself some hobbies or activities you really enjoy doing (building lego technic is always a good one for me).

Hobbies are just like lifelong invisible friends. If all else fails, you can turn to them.

If thinking positive becomes that difficult, think back to a time in your life when you were happier, or think about good memories you had, or generally think of things that make you smile.

Remember, everything you wear costs money but to wear a smile is free. A smile can be the difference between an average day and a great day and also offers you some brief exercise (smiling requires the movement of certain facial muscles).

If you follow these steps, positive change is inevitable.

To be happy depends not only on good health mentally, how we think and feel, but also on how healthy we are physically. So start making positive goals, treating your body to healthier foods, and stay motivated in life by doing things you love or think are fun, and thus you can enjoy the precious life you have.

It is advisable to tell people who are still in the physical how you feel about them. Often we see people beating themselves up when someone has passed on, regretting not having verbalized their thoughts and feelings, while the other person was "alive" on the physical earth plane.

The Channel on GuideSpeak.com, wrote a heartfelt letter to his mother in November 2001. Five years later, his mother passed on, on the 20th December 2006, and this letter was found amongst her valued possessions, with an inscription in her hand-writing on the envelope, which said, "Do not throw away. Keep forever".

Never be afraid to express your love for another. In the physical earth plane, tomorrow is promised to no one.

My Darling Mother,

I spend my days and nights reading books, listening to tapes, going to lectures, having discussions about one topic - to understand the journey of the Soul, to have clarity of the relationship of the Soul and its relationship to perfection - the image of God. I now know that we are all Souls in human bodies. All of us Souls on earth and all of the Souls in Spirit are all part of one Soul - One Spirit - the perfection we call God.

I see a glimpse of this perfection and aim my life at improving my imperfections. I attempt to improve, make some progress, stumble, pick myself up, attempt again and continue the process until I see some progress. Feeling encouraged, I continue attempting, stumbling, and progressing. The reward is in the journey because the destination of perfection will take thousands of lifetimes.

In this lifetime, I have been blind for over 49 years. I have had to read, listen and discuss this concept but my eyes have been shut, my ears blocked, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. I have prayed, by asking God, for a glimpse of perfection but I was blind and deaf to it.

You, my darling mother, are this glimpse of perfection. You are humility with no need for ego. You are strength without a need for power. You are totally selfless in serving others. You listen without a need to speak. Your guidance is so subtle that hardly a ripple is noticeable. You are at peace with no need for anything. You are wealthy beyond measure because you never needed anything before you got it.

You bore 50 years of marriage, as a saint, more than half of which was spent nursing Dad, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with total love and devotion. You had little, if any, pleasures of a physical nature. You were deprived of the time to make and nurture friends, to have a hobby or participate in a sport or go to a concert or play for your needs. However, you never complained, you never expressed frustration. You just kept on, in love, showering your blessings on Dad and on us all.

When you lost your other son, tragically, you bore the loss, burying your hurt so you could help Dad handle the loss he felt. I believe that your Soul knew that your son would not be seen again in the physical world but was with you in the spiritual world, so instinctively you could handle the loss easier than Dad could.

There can be very few people in the world who have lived to nearly 80 and who do not have an enemy or even someone who has carried a small grievance of annoyance about them. I cannot think of the one person who could say anything negative about you. You have not harmed anyone either with your words or actions. You have lived the credo you always instilled in us, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

You and Dad always struggled financially, but you were never poor. You always knew, instinctively, that the Universe will provide for your needs. You never demanded anything, you always placed Dad and your children's needs way above your own. You have chosen a path on this life on earth to be one of selfless love and devotion.

You have done a wonderful job of it. You are a wonderful, wonderful human being and a marvelous, glorious spiritual being. Thank you for allowing me to choose you as my mother, to show me a glimpse of perfection, which perfection is God.

I love you Mom, you are my heroine forever.

Eternally yours.
All my love,
Your Son